Auburn NE Storm 8/09/2009

Here is a longer version ) I started my day in Bennington NE, taking some lightning shots if i could near the lake. Later on in the afternoon a MD( mesoscale-discussion ) was issued for Southeast NE. At this time in IA a monster of long track supercell was reaking havoc in eastern IA still. SPC noted a watch was likely for Southeast NE in the MD, due to the possibility for some hail and damaging winds or a supercell. So feeling gutsy i headed south to Tecumseh Nebraska. Around the time i got there there were already storms beginning to develope and merge. It was then i watched these storms and they quickly got more organized. Off to the SW looked like a bow segment beginng to take shape so i booked it south and watched. Realizing the storms were now warned for hail and wind i tried to stay east of the line. I snapped a few pics and after running i decided to stop. I was just sitting outside of Auburn NE on an entrance off a gravel road as it overtook me. Earlier reports of Ping Pong sized hail and winds in excess of 60-65mph made me run in the first place. Wind driven hail that size or larger would likely damage my car and break out the windows. So here is the longer version of the chase. I cuss quite a few times and say my fair shair of OMG holy crap, and so on.... ive bene in 50mph winds so add on another 10-15mph and i didnt know what to expect. As soon as it hit me, the storng gusts i put the parking brake on as well, my car was rocking pretty much at that time. had i been facing my car sideways to the wind it prb would of been a bad story. So i know its annoying with all the words you hear but i couldnt help it, i was in for a ride, scared but excited at the same time and energy drinks speak for it all. After the line passed i drove through Auburn where numerous trees and signs were down, power knocked out and lines laying around, when i was getting ready to snap pics law enforcement and firetrucks were just showing up so i didnt want to get in the way thus i didnt take but one pic of damage. The tree's are just off the south of Hwy 136 and Hwy 75 in Auburn NE by the gas station. I also ventured into Johnson NE where small limbs but alot of them were everywhere and a few lines down as well. It was a great chase more then what i expected. As i drove home there were some very photogenic moments, the detail and color of the clouds was amazing. ( i chase because i love the adrenaline rush, the fear and the excitment, but its just beautiful in what mother nature can offer... now onyl if i knew how to chase tornadoes dead on lol... ive only seen 5 in my lifetime.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• auburn
• nebraska
• storm
• wind
• severe
• chase